Bob and Elizabeth Prowse, Frederick Hill, Baddaginnie, bought 12 of the rams on offer, including the top priced lot one.

It sold for $2600, under the Helmsman auction.

The 16 month old ram, sired by KP120037, had a 18.2 micron fibre diameter, a standard deviation (SD) of 3.0, co-efficient of variation (CV) of 16.7 and comfort factor (CF) of 99.8 per cent. He was sired by KP120037. The second top priced ram went for $2500, to BG and BJ Law.

Ray Penberthy, buying on behalf of the Prowse family said the ram would go into the self-replacing Merino flock, at Baddaginnie.

“He has a good length and good frame about him, with good style and character within the fleece itself,” Mr Penberthy said. “We have been big buyers of Kilfeera, for more than nine years.

“We remain in that 17 micron category. We are trying to increase volume, while trying to stay in that finer end, if we can.”

He has a good length and good frame about him and good style and character, within the fleece itself. - Ray Penberthy, Frederick Hill, Baddaginnie

Stud principal Murray McKenzie said the top price was $500 up on last year. “But there’s more made over $2000, this year,” Mr McKenzie said.

‘The meat job has been good for some time but the wool job has certainly put a bit more money in our pockets.”

He said the rams went locally and as far away as western Victoria. “They want sheep that will not only grow, but grow good quality wool, and quantity as well,” Mr McKenzie said.

Elders stud stock representative Jim Bruce said while the clearance was down on last year, it was still a positive sale.

“We did have a quite a few clients who filled up, last year,” Mr Bruce said.